SLIDESHOW: Love is saying ‘I do’ once again for Burwell couples

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are front Albert and Norma Ellingford, with middle row ltr

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are front Albert and Norma Ellingford, with middle row ltr

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are Albert and Norma Ellingford. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are Albert and Norma Ellingford. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are David and Pat Leah. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are Tny and Jackie Thacker. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are Richard and Cheryl Maddox. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are Richard and Cheryl Maddox. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are Christopher and Aline Clark. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are Christopher and Aline Clark. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are David and Krystyna Boughey. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are David and Krystyna Boughey. Picture: Keith Heppell

16/02/14 Church celebrates 290 years of marriage
16/02/14 Seven couples, who together have experienced over 290 years of married life, will renew their marriage vows at St Mary’s Burwell. Pictured are Michael and Sharon Smith. Picture: Keith Heppell

Seven couples, who together have experienced more than 290 years of married life, have renewed their wedding vows at a special service.

A rare burst of sunshine greeted the happy couples who took part in a thanksgiving ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Burwell on Sunday.

The seven couples, all from Burwell, filled the church with family and friends on the big day which was chosen as it was the closest Sunday to Valentine’s Day.

The Rev Dr Eleanor Williams led the service.

She said: “In a society where daily pressures of life contribute to the breakdown of the family, it is refreshing and inspiring to be able to celebrate with these couples who want to renew their marriage vows, taken many years ago.

“We last held a marriage renewal service in Burwell in September 2012 – after a 12-year gap – and due to popular demand, we are delighted that another seven couples have come forward asking to be involved in a similar service.”

Dr Williams added: “We wish them all many more happy years together.”

Among those renewing their vows were Albert and Norma Ellingford, who were married in 1954 and will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary on February 27.

Happy couple Richard and Cheryl Maddox marked their 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday, the same day that David and Krystyna Boughey chalked up 34 years together.

Mr Maddox was one of the key instigators of bringing back the marriage renewal service.

It was a double celebration for Michael and Sharon Smith, who will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary on February 24, Sharon’s 50th birthday.

There was much joy for Tony and Jackie Thacker who have spent 43 years together, after getting married on September 12, 1970.

Pat and David Leah also renewed their vows, 47 years after they tied the knot on February 6, 1967.

And Christopher and Aline Clark restated their commitment to each other after 36 years of marriage. The couple tied the knot on September 17, 1977.

Friends and family attended the joyful service, which was followed by a party to mark the occasion where guests enjoyed cake and a celebratory drink.

For more information on further services call the vicar on (01638) 741262 or vicar@stmarysburwell.org.uk.